(WPDE) — At the tail end of a brutal heat wave, storms have fired across the region this week, producing an impressive and dangerous amount of lightning.
Tuesday and Wednesday saw nearly 30,000 strikes each day, with totals expected to surpass 100,000 by the time Friday’s storms roll through.
WHY SO MUCH LIGHTNING?
It’s a combination of unusually high moisture and very unstable air. These ingredients fuel strong updrafts that push deep into the atmosphere, where ice formation occurs.
The presence of more graupel and hail enhances the separation of electrical charges within the cloud, setting the stage for frequent lightning.
The good news is that once Friday’s storms move out, cooler and more stable air settles in for the weekend…